Oliver Holden (September 18, 1765 – September 4, 1844) was an American composer and compiler of hymns.
Born in Shirley, Massachusetts, he served a year as a marine, for which he received a small annual pension. He lived most of his life in Charles Town, Boston, Massachusetts, after he moved with his parents in 1786. He was known to be a devout Baptist. A carpenter and real estate dealer in his professional life, he also organized many music schools, and served as legislator and pastor.[1]
Holden published books on sacred music, "The American Harmony" 1793), "Union Harmony, or a Universal Collection of Sacred Music" (1793 & 1801); co-wrote "The Massachusetts Compiler," with Hans Gram and Samuel Holyoke (1795); and edited "The Worcester Collection of Sacred Harmony" (1797).[2]
When George Washington visited Boston in 1789, Holden wrote the lyrics and score of an ode, and trained the choir which sang the music that greeted Washington at the Old State House. This chorus was performed again by the Stoughton Musical Society in their concerts at the Chicago World's Exposition in 1893[3] His popular tune Coronation, to Edward Perronet’s hymn All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, is said to be the earliest American hymn tune still in general use.